Just spent the morning doing the Vajra Guru mantra while circumambulating the Albuquerque Stupa

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"But if you know how to observe yourself, you will discover your real nature, the primordial state, the state of Guruyoga, and then all will become clear because you will have discovered everything"-Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

How beautiful. I took my daughter on a drive to Deer Park Buddhist Center, about an hour and 20 minutes from home, this afternoon. While we were unable to visit the new temple (as all the monks and nuns are currently in Washington D.C. for HHDL's Kalachakra for World Peace and the related activities), we were invited to follow the path past the old temple to the Kalachakra stupa, which was dedicated 30 years ago by HHDL himself. The sensation of calm and peace I felt when it first entered my field of vision is indescribable. I explained to my daughter that if she wanted to circumambulate with me, she could, and suggested that she think about peace around the world while she did. She felt moved to leave an offering (a bracelet she had decided to wear today for the first time in--forever, I think) with those left by previous visitors, as did I. As I was completing my personal time there, a family group (all adults) entered the area and stood quietly until I finished. I spoke with them briefly, as they were asking questions to which I felt confident providing answers (nothing too esoteric or deep ), bade them good afternoon, and walked quietly back to our car.

She asked me on the drive home if we would be going back there for one or more of the weekly dharma talks. (This from "my little agnostic," as I fondly refer to her.) I take that as a good sign, indeed. It's a drive, and something of a sacrifice financially (with the price of gas being what it is) for something that many people would hardly consider vital, but--many people aren't me, and I feel drawn there. I am hopeful, for the first time since being pulled in this direction, that I may finally be on the right path.

All of that, by way of saying: I didn't even know today was a significant day, when I decided to visit and circumambulate.

May we all generate enough merit to stabilize our teacher's and our own highest aspirations toward the liberation of all sentient beings on this tsok day. May the direction of all actions be undertaken from wisdom and compassion and may ignorance vanish into space.

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?